Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, UAE vice-president and prime minister, announced a major government reshuffle with a series of tweets on 19 October.

Half of the eight new ministers are women. One of the youngest appointees, the 27-year old Omar bin Sultan al-Olama, was named Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence.

MEED understands the 27-year-old Al-Olama led the World Government Summit and the formulation of the UAE’s national strategy for artificial intelligence.

The four women appointees include:

• Sara al-Amiri: Minister of State focusing on advanced sciences. Her responsibilities will include the research and development of "scientific competencies,” one of the tweets said. The 30-year-old Al-Amiri will also be responsible for Emirates Scholars Council and will lead the UAE's Mars Mission.
• Maryam al-Mehair: Minister of State (food security)
• Hessa Buhumaid: Minister of Community Development
• Noora al-Kaabi: Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development

Nahyan bin Mubarak was appointed Minister of State for Tolerance. He replaces long serving minister Lubna al-Qasimi who Sheikh Mohammed commended “for having represented the UAE well at international events and Arab women in the finest way.”

Ahmed Belhoul, Minister of State for Higher Education, retains his post but was also named chairman of the Federal Authority for Human Resources.

Nasser bin Thani al-Hameli was appointed Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, succeeding Saqr Ghobash, who served the UAE for “more than four decades,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

Zaki Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and cultural adviser at the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs, was appointed Minister of State. Nusseibeh is the father of Lana, UAE’s permanent representative to the United Nations.

Sheikh Mohammed also announced that Abdul Rahman Al-Owais will now assume the post of Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs, in addition to his current duties as Minister of Health.

Abdullah Mohammed bin Touq was appointed secretary general of the UAE Cabinet.